The Nuisance Abatement Team was created to be as supplemental community based policing strategy to abate historical criminal activity on properties. The use of real property as bases of operation for criminal enterprise adversely impacts the quality of life of the surrounding neighborhoods. Properties that have become havens for illegal drug trafficking, prostitution, illegal gambling and organized criminal gang activity prevent communities from enjoying a collective sense of security and wellbeing. Citizens' perceptions that criminal activity is allowed to occur, without being challenged by the police, leads to diminished confidence in the law enforcement authority. Economic development and revitalization plans for com- munities become problematic because of the crime and the fears associated with crime.

The Nuisance Abatement Team forges vested partnerships with cooperative property owners to combat common and public nuisances. The utilization of criminal / civil statutes as well as local enforcement authority to compel un- cooperative property owners to assist in the abatement of these nuisances is designed to rehabilitate these propert- ies and revitalize the affected community. S.A.F.E. requires property owners, after notification of the existence of a nuisance, to demonstrate proactive management of their properties in the abatement effort. Uncooperative prop- erty owners face criminal / civil actions to repair, demolish, close or forfeit their interest in the property when the nuisance goes unabated. The ultimate goal is to eliminate criminal nuisances. The aggregate benefits are revitalized neighborhoods that are safer and cleaner places in which to live, work and visit.​